Jumping Cruiser

*FURTHER UPDATE 2* All scheduled calls for Odyssey in Le Havre (France) have now also been replaced with Independence. I wonder if they are just having one ship, Independence, as I haven’t seen any mention of other ships along the Southampton routes? If so, this would be a real shock to me as at one point Royal were talking about increasing Southampton capacity, never mind reducing it!

It may have changed recently then, as this is what is now showing on the app.

When Quantum is in Alaska, the noodle shop turns into Splashaway Cafe I believe.

No, just turn up and ride. There may be a small queue, but each ride only lasts around 3 minutes.

*FURTHER UPDATE* All scheduled calls for Odyssey in Villefranche have also now been replaced with Independence. This port makes up part of the 14-day Mediterranean itinerary, so it definitely looks like Indy is on its way to Southampton in 2025 now, as opposed to Odyssey.

I think that this was just a last minute bit of innovation for Wonder, as it was probably supposed to be a restaurant orientated to the Chinese market, such as The Hotpot on Spectrum. They had to come up with a new concept, as all of the other RCI favourites already had predetermined locations. With Icon, Royal will have had dining innovations that were set out early in the design process, probably even before the Mason Jar concept was created, and they still had to include the favourites from the fleet, such as Chops and Giovannis, therefore leaving no room for Mason Jar.

I imagine so, as this is a replacement for Cafe Promenade, which is also 24hrs.

Icon of the Seas - Dining Dining info for Icon has been released, including details on all specialty and complimentary dining venues. Empire Supper Club - Specialty (Deck 😎 Delve into decadence at Empire Supper ClubSM — a new Central Park restaurant that’s putting on the ritz with a taste of old New York right onboard. Indulge in an evening of extravagance with an eight-course menu of premium American cuisine, carefully curated with expertly prepared plates from caviar to wagyu. Each dish is exquisitely paired with a beverage that will elevate your experience to next-level nouveau. Celebration Table - Specialty (Deck 15 - AquaDome) Delve into decadence at Empire Supper ClubSM — a new Central Park® restaurant that’s putting on the ritz with a taste of old New York right onboard. Indulge in an evening of extravagance with an eight-course menu of premium American cuisine, carefully curated with expertly prepared plates from caviar to wagyu. Each dish is exquisitely paired with a beverage that will elevate your experience to next-level nouveau. Main Dining Room - Complimentary (Decks 3, 4 & 5) Share your favourite moments of the day over your favourite meal of the day in the Dining Room. Each new night onboard brings a delectably different three-course theme to taste your way around the world together — with rotating flavours from Jamaica to Jaipur and signature Royal Caribbean® recipes loved by all. Expand your palate with dishes like buttery escargot or fill up on familiar faves like spaghetti Bolognese. And any evening can be dressed up with the option to order Maine lobster tail and filet mignon. Chops Grille - Specialty (Deck 8 - Central Park) Located in Central Park, our signature American steakhouse is slicing up all-new ways to elevate your meal. Chops GrilleSM presents a new butcher’s display with mouthwatering specialty cuts like high-grade wagyu beef and bone-in tomahawks. Watch through the open kitchen as seasoned chefs perfectly prepare your premium selection to your liking and serve it alongside your choice of savoury sides — just be sure to save room for dessert. Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - Specialty (Deck 6 - Royal Promenade) Sunday supper is served every day at the new Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. The menu highlights Old World classics, including veal meatballs in sauce served with rich radicchio cream like they make in Sardinia and Pappardelle. Save room for one of the hand-tossed pizzas, delivered straight from the oven. And ask a sommelier on staff to suggest the perfect pairing from a wine list that ranges from Sangiovese to Super Tuscan. Hooked Seafood - Specialty (Deck 15 - AquaDome) If you want to snag a real taste of New England-style seafood, Hooked SeafoodSM is the spot. Find your favorite coastal flavors, like crispy golden Maryland crab cakes, melt-in-your-mouth Maine lobster rolls or just-shucked oysters and other raw bar favorites. And don’t miss sweet dessert treats that beg to be savored for a decadent taste of summer. Surfside Eatery - Complimentary (Deck 7 - Surfside) Whatever your little ones are into right now, the Surfside EaterySM has it. During the day, satisfy your breakfast and lunch cravings with a buffet of options from pancakes with chocolate chips and fruit toppings to colorful, fun-shaped pasta with marinara and cheese sauces. In the evening, bond over bites without ever having to leave your favorite part of the ship. And grownups can delight in delectable with elevated options that put a contemporary twist on all the kid’s classics. Pier 7 - Specialty (Deck 7 - Surfside) Pop on over to Pier 7SM any time of day for beachside bites with a laid-back vibe. You'll find casual California cuisine to hook everyone in your crew. From surf and turf tacos to crispy, crunchy mango lime shrimp tostadas piled high, and even sharable platters. Plus, get your brunch on all day every day with indulgent dishes like smoked salmon benedict, or a fluffy buttermilk pancake platter. Surfside Bites - Complimentary (Deck 7 - Surfside) Surfside Bites is your quick stop for sweet and salty noshes to refuel on the run. Snack on popcorn chicken and hot dogs before even drying off from Splashaway BaySM. Power up after PlayscapeSM fun with a burger and a side of mac and cheese. Treat the top scorer from the Arcade to chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon-sugar donut holes. And round out your time on the carousel with the neighbourhoods very own Sprinkles putting its twist on vanilla, chocolate and strawberry soft serve. Izumi Hibachi & Sushi - Specialty (Deck 8 - Central Park) With fresh sushi selections and tempting teppanyaki prepared tableside, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi continues to dial up the Asian-inspired dining experience onboard. And for the first time ever, the feast goes al fresco in the open-air Central Park®. Share bites from an extensive menu of maki and delight in the showmanship of an expert chef working right at your table. And if you’re on the go, the premier Izumi in the Park window has a selection of signature rolls, nigiri, and Japanese sweets to enjoy anytime and anywhere. Izumi in the Park - Specialty (Deck 8 - Central Park) Picture this: you’re strolling through Central Park®, craving a savory snack. There’s Izumi in the ParkSM — an all-day window for sushi and snap-worthy street foods inspired by Japan. Sample a selection of fresh nigiri, sashimi, seaweed salad and more, packed up in a portable box. And the most photogenic ice cream onboard — a Taiyaki vanilla ice cream with strawberry drizzle and rainbow sprinkles served in an airy bubble cone. Whether it’s a pre-dinner sweet treat or a mid-day sushi snack, this is your destination for fresh eats in the fresh air. Windjammer - Complimentary (Deck 15) Windjammer is your complimentary go-to restaurant for tantalizing global flavors. Like just-pressed panini packed with all your favorite meats and cheeses. Flaky pastries fresh from the oven and omelets any way you like them. And hearty mains that run the gamut from crispy buttermilk fried chicken to braised Ho Chi Minh pork. AquaDome Market - Complimentary (Deck 15 - AquaDome) AquaDome Market, the first-ever food hall in the fleet, premiers five unique food stands. Mix up fresh pitas and bowls at Feta Mediterranean. Mac’s remixes cheesy goodness with toppings like slow-roasted pulled pork, smoked gouda and BBQ sauce. For a feel-good fix, head to Toast and Garden for sandwiches and salads. Plus Asian faves like Korean Beef with Broccoli at GNGR. And say yes to the press at Crème de la Crepe with sweet and savoury crepes. Basecamp - Complimentary (Deck 16 - Thrill Island) Right in the middle of all the Thrill Island action, BasecampSM is your family’s headquarters to refuel between adventures. Choose from a variety of complimentary snacks like soft pretzel bites with cheese sauce — or splurge on next-level noshes like crispy shrimp bao buns. Consider this your home base for bites you won’t want to share. Pearl Cafe - Complimentary (Deck 6 - Royal Promenade) Nestled beside expansive windows with sweeping ocean views is Pearl CaféSM. Stop by for a quick bite around the clock and settle into the scenery. You'll find a selection of freshly pressed panini, ready-made salads, sweet treats and more to nosh on. Plus, cozy nooks where you can thumb through your latest page-turner. Sorrento’s - Complimentary (Deck 5 - Royal Promenade) There’s nothing more satisfying than a great slice of pizza. Onboard you can choose from signature pies piled high with toppings and oozing with melty goodness. Plus, a specialty pizza that’s different every day of your vacation. And for the first time ever, pair your fresh-baked pizza with your favorite drafts on tap. Whether you’re stopping by on your way through the Royal Promenade or refueling after breaking it down on the dance floor, Sorrento’s serves up perfection in every slice. Park Cafe - Complimentary (Deck 8 - Central Park) When you’re in the mood for deli classics that knock it out of the park, head to Park Café — with quick eats to please every palate. Crisp made-to-order salads? Check. Full bagel bar, freshly pressed panini and sandwiches? Double check. Pro tip: don’t miss the legendary Royal Kümmelweck sandwich — this guest favorite is piled high with roast beef and is a can’t-miss-dish. And with new after-sundown hours, come back for handheld tapas to savor under the stars of Central Park®. El Loco Fresh - Complimentary (Deck 15 - Chill Island) Give your taste buds something to go wild over. El Loco Fresh® serves up Mexican fare that's insanely delicious. With classic mole sauce and tangy salsa verde topping beef burritos, carnitas and more, it's a fiesta of flavor from south of the border. The craziest thing about it is just how good it is.

Southampton Deployment History: 2010 - Independence 2011 - Independence 2012 - Independence 2013 - Independence & Adventure 2014 - Independence & Adventure 2015 - Anthem & Explorer 2016 - Independence & Navigator 2017 - Independence & Navigator 2018 - Independence & Navigator 2019 - Independence & Explorer 2020 - Anthem (Covid - No Sailings) 2021 - Anthem 2022 - Anthem 2023 - Anthem 2024 - Anthem

May 19th seems a bit late for a TA to me, as the UK ship usually has the latest crossing which is normally in early May. Also, it has replaced an Odyssey booking, which was scheduled as part of a canaries cruise. It looks like she might be coming to Southampton to me, but I will keep a track of it.

Just something I noticed today. The port bookings for Odyssey in Madeira for 2025 have now been removed and replaced by calls for Independence. However, Odyssey still appears in many other ports across Europe, but it could be a recent change that ports have yet to update their systems. So, could Royal have switched their plans and now planning to send Indy back to Southampton, in place of Odyssey, or aiming to have a second ship? Obviously, the closer we get to the deployment release in November, the more accurate information will become.

No, but I imagine the amount of Northern Europe cruises to shrink significantly from 2026, when the Norwegian Fjord cruise ban comes into force. This might cause a bit of an issue and a busy solarium in 2025, but I imagine Royal will focus on ‘warmer’ cruises to France, Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands from then onwards, as I can’t really see that there would be a market for Northern Europe (e.g. Belgium, Germany and Netherlands) cruises throughout the summer.

I agree! I know there are many UK fans of Indy, but I think that if a Freedom Class was to come back to Southampton, some of those who have cruised on Anthem would really think that it is a major downgrade from Royal, as it does lack much of the ‘tech’ and activities from Quantum Class. Odyssey is just an ‘upgraded’ version of Anthem, but would bring new shows, dining venues and activities to Southampton which I think would really help them compete with those lines who are home-porting their new vessels there (e.g. NCL & MSC) and keep people returning year on year, as opposed to trying different ships from other brands.

Oasis class could handle the med and probably the france and Spain itineraries too, but they are too large for Norway, which at the moment accounts for quite a few of Anthem’s cruises. It will be interesting how Royal approach the Southampton deployment from 2026, when only zero emission ships are permitted in certain Norwegian Fjords, as this will take a lot of the market away. It will probably be more likely for the UK to get an Oasis class from this point onwards, especially as Icon, Utopia and Icon 2 will have all been released at that point. However, I still think that the chances are slim and Royal will position Odyssey in Southampton each year from 2025, just like how it’s been Anthem since 2020.

Looks like delivery is set for October 26th based on this post. It will be interesting to see how they use all that time before the inaugural and whether they will do press cruises both in Europe and US, as they have left a lot of time before revenue cruises. https://twitter.com/josietweekly/status/1656272380145041408?s=61&t=jgidOHN0p037rV5juBJ9TQ

I’m aboard the 1st Mediterranean cruise on 23rd June, so will post a copy of the cruise compass when I return. However, click on the link below to view the full 12-day compass from my canaries cruise on 5th June 2022. I know this is not a full 14-days, but it will give you an idea of some of things on offer for longer sailings. 5th June 2022 Cruise Compass

TA - Transatlantic There’s a few different abbreviations that people use and I’m sure you will come across them, so make sure you have your dictionary ready! 😂

I believe that she is due a dry dock. There is a port call in Funchal (Madeira) on 21st November, looking like she is headed towards Europe. Plus, there are two calls in Cadiz (Spain), one on 24th November and another on 16th December. Putting all this info together, I imagine that she will go for her dry dock during this period, so some cruises may be cancelled. There is a chance that they create an eastbound and westbound TA to make up some revenue for the lost sailings or provide an option to transfer affected passengers. Although, January 2025 is also blocked off for Freedom. Plus, there are two calls in Cadiz (Spain) too, one on 16th January and another on 7th February. It is possible that they are just trying to work out the best time for dry dock or negotiating with the shipyard. Obviously, they will provide everyone with more info at some point, but I think this is likely to be something related to a drydock.

Hi, welcome to CC! I don’t know an exact date, but she said on her social media that she will be CD for Symphony’s European summer, so I would assume that she may be there until at least Sept, if not until the TA.

Update for Anthem: I believe Katie Knowles has boarded Anthem today for the handover cruise and will take over from Joff on May 12th, after the transatlantic.

It has always confused me as to why they have chosen to base Anthem in Singapore, since Quantum has already had a partial conversion to suit the Asian market (e.g. Signage and Restaurants - Noodle Bar). To me it would make more sense for Royal to have Anthem do Alaska/Australia and Quantum back in Singapore.

I thought this had changed since this interview? I believe there was a more recent interview where Michael said plans for Icon had changed and she will head to Miami Although, looking further ahead into port schedules, there is a call in Cadiz for Icon listed between 8/12/23 - 23/13/23, with the destination marked as Miami, so this is likely to be before the non-revenue TA. What is interesting is how the origin port is marked as La Spezia though. Was Royal’s original plan to send her to the Med late 2023? Or will Icon do an agent preview in the med before going to Miami? Or is it just nothing and simply an error with the origin port? This is definitely something to keep an eye on over the coming months.

I thought I had heard that the stateroom attendant would put sofa-bed up of a night and back away in the mornings, despite what time your room is cleaned. I read that they would literally just put the bed up/away and only do a full clean once. Was this not the case for you?

Like everybody else has mentioned, I believe this is probably Utopia. Looking further ahead in the schedule, there is a call for Icon listed between 8/12/23 - 23/13/23, with the destination marked as Miami, so this is more likely to actually be for Icon as opposed to a placeholder. What is interesting is how the origin port is marked as La Spezia though. Was Royal’s original plan to send her to the Med late 2023? Or will Icon do an agent preview in the med before going to Miami? Or is it just nothing and simply an error with the origin port?

Thanks! I did mean 15:25, but just put the wrong time in 🤦‍♂️. I won’t be getting far making those kind of mistakes 😅.